CAKE MIXING CEREMONY at THE SURYA, New Delhi on 28th October, 2015

The age old ceremony of Cake Mixing starts a few months before Christmas and the winter festivities and is considered to be good for tidings and happiness.

Attended this ceremony hosted by THE SURYA, New Delhi on 28^th October, 2015. The GM, Pankaj Mathur and Exec Chef Sanjay Issac Thomas greeted us with warmth and led to the ceremony.

All wore Gloves, Apron and Cap before starting the ceremony. All the fruits, Cherries, Tutti Fruiti, Black Currents, Raisins, Spices and Nuts are mixed with Rum, Wine and Whiskey to soak the fruits. The sugar content of the liquor and fruit juices help preserve the ingredients. Plum Cake is considered a perfect energy cake as it is very rich.

This mixture will be stored until Christmas .On the Christmas Eve this mixture will be blended with cake batter to make the traditional PLUM CAKE.

It was a fun filled evening followed by High Tea with a lavish spread.

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole ceremony with great enthusiasm with the team THE SURYA.

CULINARY QUEENS INDIA organised FIRST COOK OUT with CELEBRITY CHEF MANOJ RAI in DELHI at RICE BOWL

Celebrity Chef Manoj Rai is now in Delhi after a successful tenure in Mumbai. A Culinary Head with PIND BALLUCHI, has done HM form Goa and has worked before with prestigious organizations like TGIF, Radiss

on Group, Jaypee Group, Claridges Group and has travelled across the World and explored the different cuisines. Very dedicated and hard working and is eager to learn more and more.

First COOK OUT with Chef Manoj Rai in Delhi is organized in RICE BOWL, Patel Nager through CULINARY QUEENS INDIA on 15^th November 2015. It was two and a half hour show where he cooked eight dishes in front of the participants.

He started with LENTIL SOUP, a healthy and creamy soup had come out very well. CROSTINI DI FUNGHI….with mushroom, onion, garlic, olive oil and seasoning on top of crisp bread loaf.  KOZEIBERRY…..Chicken ready in few minutes, small pieces of thigh of chicken marinated for a short while with hung curd, parsley, garlic, fennel powder….then put into skewer and sear on high flame, was soft, juicy and tasty. CHILLI PARMESAN FISH….Fish marinated with pepper, lemon juice, duon mustard, salt, then put on high flame for appox. 3 minutes and top it up with chilli flakes, parmesan cheese and parsley.

PAPADUM DAHI KE KEBAB…..Cottage cheese, hung curd, bell pepper and spicies, mix all ingredients and before frying coat with papad crumb , came out crisp while soft inside. TAGLIATELLE ORTOLONA….with fresh Tagliatelle Pasta, mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, chilli flakes, garlic, after blanching the pasta stir in to the sauce with seasoning and garnishing with basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, came out excellent. RED SNAPER….Small pieces of Red Snapper Fish , marinated with seasoning, oil, lemon juice, thyme, basil, white wine, pan seared and served with mustard sauce. HOME MADE BARBEQUE….Saute the onion, garlic with capsicum and Coke, simmer for 20 minutes, add garlic, oil, duon mustard, the sauce came out perfect.

The participants all enjoyed the interactive session with Chef while learning some exotic dishes and getting to know some good tips on how to make excellent dishes at home even without the required ingredients by replacing with what is easily available at home. The participants were given Aeroplane Rice packs as gift hampers. 

SIROCCO at CROWNE PLAZA JAIPUR TONK ROAD is one of the oulets with all day dining area with Global Cuisine

CROWNE PLAZA JAIPUR TONK ROAD…..yet to be launched formally….did the Soft Launch on 1^st of November, 2015. Another addition on the already on 400 plus fleet of CROWNE PLAZA Hotels worldwide.

SOROCCO is one of the outlets at the Lobby level with an all day dining area with elaborate Buffet, a-la-carte dining with an interactive Open Kitchen. A 100 Plus covers Restaurant…. Al Fresco seating here is a great option for evenings in summer and for lunch in winters to enjoy the delicacies and drinks with Global Cuisine. Very decently done up with natural light maintaining the traditional Jaali work of Rajasthan with a modern touch.

Very elegantly decorated the ingredients to make your own Salad in the middle of the Restaurant

Had the Authentic Rajasthani Cuisine there. It was awesome

DAL PUNCHMANI….five dals mixed together and cooked with spices and ghee….it was thick dal, a bit spicy but tasted great. LAL MAANS….very well done mutton with aroma of spices…mouthwatering. KER SANGRI….It’s a special vegetable found in Rajasthan, very tasty with pickled taste. ALOO PYAZ KI SABZI and GUTTA CURRY , the traditional dish made with gram flour….were just awesome.

Had tried a few other Italian dishes also….WATERMELON FETTA CHEESE SALAD, MUSHROOM AND CAPPACINO SOUP…was delicious, RISOTTO, GRILLED FISH on massed potato and the CHOCOLATE LAYERED DESSERT….was too good.

The Exec Chef Vikash Prasad is heading the team of young and talented chefs….is doing a great job. The young and energetic team , well trained is there to greet the guests with smile, so rush !!

SOFT LAUNCH of CROWNE PLAZA JAIPUR TONK ROAD on 1st November 2015 by the energetic team led by GM Ashwini Goela

Checked in on 31^st October, 2015 at CROWNE PLAZA JAIPUR TONK ROAD….was welcomed by the young and energetic  GM Ashwini Goela and then  DOS Neeraj Maharshi ,ADOS Rishbah Jain also joined in , Ashwini briefed us about the property. After the healthy breakfast we took the round of the huge property with Ashwini,  build in a Tringular shape . Most of the room are built with corroridor in the outer side so that the rooms doesn’t get direct heat from sun whereas giving ample natural light. It’s a 218 keys hotel with all the modern amenities with keeping the tradition of Rajasthan alive by having modern jaali work on wall and pillars and rooms also, giving a unique appearance. Mr Vikash Prasad  is the Exec Chef there.

At Lobby level they have SIROCCO…an all day dining area with elaborate Buffet, a-la-carte dining with an interactive Open Kitchen. Al Fresco seating here is a great option for evenings in summer and for lunch in winters to enjoy the delicacies and drinks with Global Cuisine . Yet to open CONNEXIONS BAR  would be a high energy Bar at the Lobby level with some hand picked labels of liquor.

HOUSE OF HAN is a Chinese Restaurant…yet to open. Elegantly done up. Had the honor to be the first guest to savour the authentic Chinese dishes from the Chef LUO from China.

For the workout to recharge oneself, there is well equipped Fitness Centre along with the well known Spa, SOHUM.

Felt honored to be the part of the Soft Launch ceremony on 1^st of November, 2015. Started with the Hawan followed by lighting of Lamp by the MD, Mr S.K.Gupta. Hand prints on the wall of office by all, then Balloon flying, planting trees and finally the Cake cutting ceremony.

A memorable day spent with the team of CROWNE PLAZA !!

All the best to the energetic, enthusiastic young team of CROWNE PLAZA !!

VAPOUR BAR EXCHANGE......a new concept of Stock Exchange where one can enjoy drinks in good bargain….The prices vary as per the demand…and if one plays smartly , one can get their favorite drinks at rock bottom price.

  

A new feather in the crown of VAPOUR, which is already going great guns….as VAPOUR BAR EXCHANGE….a new concept of Stock Exchange where one can enjoy drinks in good bargain….The prices vary as per the demand…and if one plays smartly , one can get their favorite drinks at rock bottom price. 

Launched just three months back in one of the most happening place in Gurgoan…..Sector 29. A 100+ cover Restaurant Bar is very decently done up with indoor and outdoor seating…magnificent view with greenry around. Spacious with ample natural lights, Live screens, Music , comfortable couches with different sections with high and low seating, quotations on the wall, very well equipped Bar. On top of that one can enjoy the freshly brewed Beer with different and innovative flavors. 

Were greeted with very impressive Menu Card…..a sort of News Paper with all the details. Tried the BELGIAN WIT BEER ….a refreshing Belgian style fruity wheat ale. LONDON HIGH…..a British Style with fresh hop aroma…..to name a few. 

BBQ STUFFED CHICKEN…..Bell pepper, Zucchini stuffed in Chicken breast and grilled was awesome with fresh and balanced spices. DAHI KEBAB….Hung curd with spinach and herbs and PANEER JAITOONI TIKKA…..grilled, stuffed with cottage cheese, olives and spinach….were perfect. CHILLI THAI FISH….Basa fish marinated in Thai spices was soft, well done. 

Cocktails….FRUIT PASSION and FRUIT INFUSION were refreshing and well presented. 

JERK CHICKEN PIZZA…..Thin crust Pizza with juicy chicken marinated with Jamaican spices …not to be miLAMB BIRYANI….need more aroma of spices. GHOST NIHARI…authentic Lukhnowy mutton delicacy, cooked over night ..mutton was perfectly done. 

CHEESE CAKE and CHOCO MUD PIE…. In house desserts…..were just average….which I am sure, they will take care of.

Congratulations to the team of VBE, the way they all are enthusiastically involved in greeting and making the guests comfortable….will surely go a long way !

GLOBAL FOOD FACTORY...The Speciality of Global Food Factory is the Buffet…The Largest International Buffet for Lunch as well as Dinner, which they keep changing after every eight weeks and reasonably priced.

Conveniently located on the main road, Rajouri Garden. launched almost a year back, simply done up with different sections to sit and enjoy the meals. Their main emphasis is on to make good and authentic fresh food with fresh ingredients.  The Speciality of Global Food Factory is the Buffet…The Largest International Buffet for Lunch as well as Dinner, which they keep changing after every eight weeks  and reasonably priced.

The elaborate menu consists of sixteen starters to start with, then main course is with fourteen dishes

and the desserts, salads and soups are again fourteen in number, along with a well equipped.Bar.

Started the dinner with their signature drink..PARAMPARA…Paan flavoured with Bacardi was subtle and then BLACK CURRENT… with Black Current Vodka and Strawberry crush…very refreshing.

LONDON DONER PITA KEBAB…..soft pita bread with the stuffing of juicy chicken and Kidney Beans and spices was great. LEMON GARLIC CKICKEN……soft chicken with tangy, garlic flavor. FALAFAL PITA & HUMMUS, KALAMI CHICKEN KEBAB and  CHILLY CHICKEN were perfect with succulent chicken

SHANGRIA  and Mocktail with Vodka, Peach and Lemon were excellent.

CHICKEN STAKE served with Rice was again soft juicy chicken was a meal in itself. GRILLED SOLE FISH IN LEMON BUTTER SAUCE ….was ultimate.

CHICKEN TAMBAKI…..Stuffed chicken with minced mutton in minced mutton gravy with Lachcha Parantha …..not to be missed.

Food is not complete without the delicious mouth watering desserts…CHOCOLATE FONDANT, CHOCOLATE & STRAWBERRY MOUSSE and the BAKED ALSKA.

 I must say that the presentation was very good with proper platters to serve. The place is a Foodie’s delight, so is doing fairly good from the day it was launched !!

THE COMMON ROOM....the new place to unwind in a causal way in the happening Rajouri Garden . Don't miss the introductory offer...5pm to 7pm a glass of Vodka, Rum, Gin, Wine, Beer, Whisky @ Rs 99 only

As the name THE COMMON ROOM suggests…the room for informal gathering and relaxing, so is the place. This multicusine restaurant is newly launched in happening J Block Market in Rajouri Garden. One can enjoy Mocktails, Cocktails, Hooka and Live Band with good food. The new concept in dining in leisurely and casual way. The cosy, small restaurant, around fifty covers is simply done up with comfortable couches, books on the shelves, some witty quotations on the frames on the walls, maintaining the quality.

The humble and down to earth, DINESH ARORA is the man behind this restaurant, whose passion for food has made him change his line of working from garments to food.

Another good thing about them is that they take auditions for the new aspiring singers and their bands to give chance to them to perform .

The new BEER Cocktails are in demand….tried the SKULL ISLAND…..with Beer, Guava juice and peach…found it quite interesting and the COSMOPOLITAN….with Vodka, Cranberry Juice…was also refreshing.

MELTING UMBRELLA…Mushroom stuffed with Spinach and Cheese and then baked….quite innovative and healthy was good. KUNG FU CIGAR….Veg …was crispy and tasty. ARABIAN HIGHTS….Soft Pita Bread with Falafal and Hummus and FISHY FINGER….with Tarter Sauce were perfect. SHER KHAN KA CHILLY CHICKEN….was well done. KEEMA PAO….Keema served with Pao is very much in demand. THE CHICKEN CEASAR PIZZA….thin crust Pizza with roasted Chicken and cheese was great. BASIL PESTO AND CREAM….Pasta with Basil and white sauce …quite healthy.

G STRING….Vodka with Triple Sec, watermelon & mint has taken a back seat as the SINFUL PASSION…Vodka with Passion fruit, Orange chunks, orange juice was the ultimate..

BATMAN BERRY AND YOGHURT CRUNCHY…..crunchy and healthy with yoghurt.                                                

All in all, a mesmerizing evening spent with good food and great mocktails with Live Band with soulful performance !!  With enthusiastic and ever smiling Saurabh Gupta, Rahul Dalal and the team.. …I am sure Dinesh Arora and Swaraj Singhi will go a long way !!